2. Will the Minister make a statement regarding flooding in Mid and West Wales? OQ56056

Diolch. Our national strategy sets out our approach to flood and coastal risk management and how we will tackle the growing risks associated with climate change. Our flood programme will invest over £3 million in the Mid and West Wales region this year, including £566,000 for emergency repairs to flood infrastructure.

I'm grateful to you, Minister, for that answer. This weekend, I visited residents and businesses at Capel Teilo Road, which is between Trimsaran and Kidwelly in Carmarthenshire. A relatively small number of properties are affected, but very seriously affected, sometimes going weeks without being able to get their vehicles in and out. It's a complex pattern, Minister, with tidal flooding issues, some issues relating to the proximity of a railway and the difficulty of the water clearing. I'm sure, Minister, that you would agree with me that, when a member of a public agency said to one of the families that their property was, and I quote, 'dispensable' and that nothing could be done, that wasn't an acceptable approach. I won't name the agency because, obviously, the individual could potentially be identified by that.

But, Minister, if I write to you and ask you to do so, will you reply to me, encouraging all of the agencies that are in play here—and that includes Dŵr Cymru, Natural Resources Wales—. It also includes, obviously, the local authority and the railways, because of the railway line. Will you encourage them to come together at the site, with me and the residents, so that we can talk through what possibilities there might be? I realise that investment has to go to where the biggest number of properties are protected, but is it not also true that, when people are affected again and again and again, they too deserve our consideration and, potentially, some investment?

Yes, absolutely. You will be aware that our strategy is to protect homes and businesses and, therefore, people's lives, because we know that flooding is absolutely a devastating event. But it is not just about the large numbers, as you say. It's about individuals as well. Absolutely, I agree with you. Certainly, we saw the partnership working to which you refer very much at the fore in the February floods, particularly in the Rhondda, for instance. So, I would absolutely urge all of the organisations that you named to come together with you to see what we can do, and I'll be very happy to be part of that too. 

Minister, there are plans under way in Shropshire to develop a flood prevention scheme along the River Severn to protect Shrewsbury and surrounding areas from flooding. Now, I know that Councillor Lucy Roberts, who represents the Llandrinio ward, which is on the Welsh side of the England-Wales border, has been very keen to establish connections and also represent the views of residents on the Welsh side. If you are aware of this scheme, is the Welsh Government and NRW fully satisfied that these plans will not be detrimental to mid Wales and to my constituents as, of course, we are upstream in that regard? And if you're not aware of this particular scheme, I wonder would you ask your officials to appraise themselves, and yourself, of the scheme, and respond to us both to give us that assurance.

Thank you, Russell George, for raising this with me. I'm not aware of the scheme; I will check with officials if they are. But, as you say, I will certainly ensure that I receive a briefing on it and will write to the Member in due course.